2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 2001–02 NBA season was the Lakers' 54th season in the National Basketball Association, and 42nd in the city of Los Angeles.^[1] The Lakers entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions, having defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in five games in the 2001 NBA Finals, winning their thirteenth NBA championship.

2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Head coach	Phil Jackson
General manager	Mitch Kupchak
Owner(s)	Jerry Buss
Arena	Staples Center
Results
Record	58–24 (.707)
Place	Division: 2nd (Pacific) Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finish	NBA Champions (Defeated Nets 4–0)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	KCAL-TV Fox Sports Net West
Radio	KLAC
< 2000–01 2002–03 >

Off-season

During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agents, All-Star guard Mitch Richmond and Samaki Walker,^[2][3][4][5] and acquired Lindsey Hunter from the Milwaukee Bucks.^[6][7][8][9] For the season, they added new logo changed from a lighter purple to a darker purple still remained with the gold and black color. They remained in use as of 2023.

Results

The team got off to a fast start winning their first seven games, leading to a successful 16–1 start after a nine-game winning streak between November and December, and holding a 33–13 record at the All-Star break.^[10] The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 58–24 record.^[11] Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were both selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, in which Bryant won MVP honors despite being booed by the hometown crowd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,^{[12][13][14][15][16]} but O'Neal did not participate in the All-Star game due to an injury for the second year in a row.^{[17][18][19][20]}

After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0 in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,^{[21][22][23][24]} then defeating the 2nd-seeded San Antonio Spurs, 4–1 in the Western Conference Semi-finals,^{[25][26][27][28]} the Lakers were pushed to the brink once more in the Western Conference Finals by the top-seeded Sacramento Kings, trailing 3–2,^[29][30][31] but managed to win the series in seven games.^{[32][33][34][35]} Game 6 of the Lakers-Kings series was one of the most controversial games in NBA history, due to the calls made by the referees (most of which were to the detriment of the Kings), and with the Lakers winning, 106–102 at home.^{[36][37][38][39][40][41]} Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on June 2 brought in a total of 23.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched Western Conference Finals game in NBA history.^[42][43]

The Lakers then went on to win the NBA Finals, defeating and sweeping the New Jersey Nets in four straight games for their second three-peat in franchise history, the first since 1952–54. The season marked the third and last of the Lakers' three-peat championships into the new millennium. O’Neal was named Finals MVP for the third straight year.^{[44][45][46][47][48]}

Player statistics

Bryant averaged 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while O’Neal averaged 27.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, and Derek Fisher provided the team with 11.2 points per game. In addition, Rick Fox contributed 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Robert Horry provided with 6.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Walker averaged 6.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.^[49]

Both Bryant and O'Neal were named to the All-NBA First Team, while Bryant was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Shaq finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting with 15 first-place votes (696 points),^[50][51] and Kobe finished in fifth place in MVP voting with 1 first-place vote.^[52] Bryant also finished tied in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.^[53][54]

Aftermath

Following the season, Richmond retired ending his fourteen-year career in the NBA,^[55] and Hunter was traded to the Toronto Raptors.^[56][57] The Lakers would not win another title until 2009, in which they defeated the Orlando Magic in five games. As of 2024, the Lakers are the most recent NBA team to have accomplished a three-peat.

Draft picks

Main article: 2001 NBA draft

• The Los Angeles Lakers did not have any Draft Picks.
• The Lakers owned the 27th Pick Overall and it was sent to New York.
• They also owned the 56th Pick Overall and it was sent to San Antonio.

Roster

2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G/F 8 Bryant, Kobe 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978–08–23 Lower Merion HS (PA) G 2 Fisher, Derek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1974–08–09 Little Rock F 17 Fox, Rick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–07–24 North Carolina F 3 George, Devean 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977–08–29 Augsburg F 5 Horry, Robert 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama G 10 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1970–12–03 Jackson State F 35 Madsen, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976–01–28 Stanford F/C 6 McCoy, Jelani 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1977–12–06 UCLA C 14 Medvedenko, Slava 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1979–04–04 Ukraine C 34 O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU G/F 23 Richmond, Mitch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–06–30 Kansas State G 20 Shaw, Brian 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–03–22 UC Santa Barbara F/C 52 Walker, Samaki 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1976–02–25 Louisville

Head coach Phil Jackson Assistant coach(es) Jim Cleamons Frank Hamblen Kurt Rambis Tex Winter Gary Vitti (trainer) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: November 24, 2001

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Sacramento Kings	61	21	.744	–	36–5	25–16	15–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers	58	24	.707	3	34–7	24–17	16–8
x-Portland Trail Blazers	49	33	.598	12	30–11	19–22	14–10
x-Seattle SuperSonics	45	37	.549	16	26–15	19–22	13–11
Los Angeles Clippers	39	43	.476	22	25–16	14–27	9–15
Phoenix Suns	36	46	.439	25	23–18	13–28	12–12
Golden State Warriors	21	61	.256	40	14–27	7–34	5–19

#	Western Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Sacramento Kings	61	21	.744	–
2	y-San Antonio Spurs	58	24	.707	3
3	x-Los Angeles Lakers	58	24	.707	3
4	x-Dallas Mavericks	57	25	.695	4
5	x-Minnesota Timberwolves	50	32	.610	11
6	x-Portland Trail Blazers	49	33	.598	12
7	x-Seattle SuperSonics	45	37	.549	16
8	x-Utah Jazz	44	38	.537	17
9	Los Angeles Clippers	39	43	.476	22
10	Phoenix Suns	36	46	.439	25
11	Houston Rockets	28	54	.341	33
12	Denver Nuggets	27	55	.329	34
13	Memphis Grizzlies	23	59	.280	38
14	Golden State Warriors	21	61	.256	40

Record vs. opponents

2001–02 NBA records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MEM	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	TOR	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	–	2–2	2–2	3–1	3–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	1–3	0–2	2–1	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–1	0–3
Boston	2–2	–	2–1	2–2	4–0	0–2	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	3–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	3–1	4–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–1	3–1
Charlotte	2–2	1–2	–	4–0	3–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–0	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	3–1
Chicago	1–3	2–2	0–4	–	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	0–4	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	0–2	0–4	3–1	0–3	1–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–3
Cleveland	1–3	0–4	1–3	3–1	–	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–3	2–2	1–3	0–3	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	1–2
Dallas	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	–	4–0	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	1–1
Denver	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–4	–	0–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	1–1	1–3	0–2
Detroit	3–1	2–2	3–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	–	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–1	2–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–2	2–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	4–0
Golden State	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	3–1	1–1	–	1–3	0–2	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–4	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–4	1–1
Houston	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	–	0–2	1–3	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–4	0–4	2–2	1–1	2–2	1–1
Indiana	3–1	0–3	1–3	4–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	2–0	2–0	–	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	1–1	1–3	2–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	3–1
L.A. Clippers	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	1–1	–	1–3	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–1	0–4	1–1
L.A. Lakers	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	3–1	–	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	3–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	3–1	2–0
Memphis	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	1–3	1–3	–	1–1	0–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	2–2	1–3	0–4	0–4	1–1	3–1	0–2
Miami	1–3	1–3	0–3	3–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	–	3–1	0–2	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–3	0–2	2–2
Milwaukee	3–1	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	–	0–2	1–2	1–3	2–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	0–2	4–0	2–0	3–1
Minnesota	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–2	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–0	–	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	2–0
New Jersey	1–2	1–3	3–1	4–0	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–1	1–1	–	4–0	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	3–1
New York	3–1	0–4	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	3–1	0–2	0–4	–	0–4	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–0	1–1	1–3
Orlando	3–1	1–3	1–3	3–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–2	1–1	1–3	4–0	–	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–2
Philadelphia	3–1	3–1	3–1	2–1	3–0	1–1	1–1	1–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	0–2	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	1–3	–	2–0	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–2	2–3
Phoenix	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	–	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–2
Portland	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–2	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	–	2–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	1–3	2–0
Sacramento	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0	4–0	4–0	0–2	3–1	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	–	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–1
San Antonio	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	4–0	2–0	4–0	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–3	–	2–2	1–1	4–0	2–0
Seattle	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	1–3	4–0	0–2	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–2	–	2–0	1–3	1–1
Toronto	4–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–3	1–3	3–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	–	1–1	1–2
Utah	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	3–1	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–3	2–0	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	0–4	0–4	3–1	1–1	–	2–0
Washington	3–0	1–3	1–3	3–1	2–1	1–1	2–0	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	2–2	3–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–1	0–2	—

Game log

Pre-season

2001 preseason game log Total: 4–4
Preseason Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 7 Golden State L 89-99 Kobe Bryant (30) Robert Horry (7) Kobe Bryant (5) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI) 10,300 0–1 2 October 9 Golden State L 88-113 Lindsey Hunter (13) Dickey Simpkins (9) Isaac Fontaine (4) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI) 9,227 0–2 3 October 16 Golden State W 114-97 Kobe Bryant (23) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Bryant & Hunter (6) Centennial Garden (Bakersfield, CA) 1–2 4 October 19 Phoenix L 101–112 Kobe Bryant (25) Fox & O'Neal (6) San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA) 1–3 5 October 20 Sacramento L 104-109 Kobe Bryant (30) Shaquille O'Neal (10) 3 players tied (4) Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV) 17,982 1–4 6 October 23 Memphis W 128-94 Kobe Bryant (24) Samaki Walker (10) Kobe Bryant (9) Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA) 17,457 2–4 7 October 25 Milwaukee W 109-107 Shaquille O'Neal (31) O'Neal & Walker (7) Bryant & O'Neal (5) Staples Center 15,062 3–4 8 October 26 Phoenix W 90-71 George & O'Neal (15) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 16,287 4-4
2001–02 season schedule

Regular season

2001–02 game log Total: 58–24 (Home: 34–7; Road: 24–17)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 30 Portland W 98–87 Bryant & O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Staples Center 18,997 1–0
November: 13–1 (home: 8–0; road: 5–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 2 November 1 @ Utah W 105–101 Kobe Bryant (39) Rick Fox (8) Kobe Bryant (8) Delta Center 19,539 2–0 3 November 2 Phoenix W 117–94 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (9) Staples Center 18,997 3–0 4 November 4 Utah W 100–96 Kobe Bryant (38) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 4–0 5 November 9 Memphis W 100–86 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 5–0 6 November 11 Orlando W 108–95 Shaquille O'Neal (38) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center 18,997 6–0 7 November 15 @ Houston W 98–97 (OT) Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Rick Fox (6) Compaq Center 16,285 7–0 8 November 16 @ Phoenix L 83–95 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Kobe Bryant (5) America West Arena 19,023 7–1 9 November 18 Sacramento W 93–85 Kobe Bryant (29) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center 18,997 8–1 10 November 20 @ L.A. Clippers W 98–93 Kobe Bryant (25) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (12) Staples Center 20,316 9–1 11 November 21 @ Denver W 89–68 Kobe Bryant (24) Bryant & O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Pepsi Center 19,521 10–1 12 November 23 Golden State W 106–90 Kobe Bryant (28) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Rick Fox (5) Staples Center 18,997 11–1 13 November 25 Denver W 105–98 Kobe Bryant (25) Kobe Bryant (7) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 12–1 14 November 27 Milwaukee W 104–85 Kobe Bryant (33) Samaki Walker (11) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Staples Center 18,997 13–1 15 November 30 @ Seattle W 107–92 Kobe Bryant (30) Slava Medvedenko (7) Robert Horry (8) KeyArena 17,072 14–1
December: 7–5 (home: 6–2; road: 1–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 16 December 1 Minnesota W 102–76 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (9) 3 players tied (5) Staples Center 18,997 15–1 17 December 5 Dallas W 98–94 Shaquille O'Neal (46) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Rick Fox (6) Staples Center 18,997 16–1 18 December 7 @ Sacramento L 91–97 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Shaquille O'Neal (5) ARCO Arena 17,317 16–2 19 December 11 Seattle L 93–104 Shaquille O'Neal (37) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Derek Fisher (8) Staples Center 18,997 16–3 20 December 14 L.A. Clippers W 110–80 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 17–3 21 December 16 Golden State W 101–85 Kobe Bryant (28) Shaquille O'Neal (7) Shaquille O'Neal (6) Staples Center 18,997 18–3 22 December 20 @ Houston W 107–101 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Bryant & Horry (5) Compaq Center 16,285 19–3 23 December 21 @ Memphis L 108–114 Kobe Bryant (36) O'Neal & Walker (9) Bryant & Fox (6) Pyramid Arena 19,405 19–4 24 December 25 Philadelphia W 88–82 Samaki Walker (18) Bryant & Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (9) Staples Center 18,997 20–4 25 December 26 @ Golden State L 90–101 Kobe Bryant (39) Slava Medvedenko (8) Kobe Bryant (5) The Arena in Oakland 20,036 20–5 26 December 28 Toronto L 86–89 Kobe Bryant (26) Samaki Walker (14) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 20–6 27 December 30 Houston W 114–90 Bryant & Fox (16) Robert Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (11) Staples Center 18,997 21–6
January: 10–6 (home: 3–2; road: 7–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 28 January 2 @ Denver W 87–86 Kobe Bryant (28) Samaki Walker (11) Rick Fox (6) Pepsi Center 17,932 22–6 29 January 4 Phoenix W 118–86 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Samaki Walker (10) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 23–6 30 January 6 @ Toronto W 109–89 Kobe Bryant (31) Samaki Walker (10) 3 players tied (4) Air Canada Centre 19,800 24–6 31 January 8 @ Detroit W 121–92 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Kobe Bryant (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076 25–6 32 January 9 @ Indiana W 109–90 Kobe Bryant (31) Samaki Walker (13) Derek Fisher (6) Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345 26–6 33 January 11 @ Minnesota L 102–120 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Samaki Walker (9) Rick Fox (9) Target Center 19,806 26–7 34 January 12 @ Chicago L 104–106 (OT) Derek Fisher (28) Robert Horry (13) Kobe Bryant (9) United Center 23,147 26–8 35 January 14 Memphis W 120–81 Kobe Bryant (56) Robert Horry (11) Rick Fox (7) Staples Center 18,997 27–8 36 January 16 Miami L 96–102 Kobe Bryant (29) Samaki Walker (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 27–9 37 January 19 @ San Antonio W 98–81 Kobe Bryant (28) 3 players tied (7) Kobe Bryant (5) Alamodome 33,544 28–9 38 January 22 Denver L 91–107 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 28–10 39 January 23 @ L.A. Clippers L 90–95 Kobe Bryant (27) Samaki Walker (12) Derek Fisher (5) Staples Center 20,309 28–11 40 January 25 San Antonio W 94–91 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 29–11 41 January 27 @ Philadelphia L 87–93 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Rick Fox (6) First Union Center 20,909 29–12 42 January 29 @ Atlanta W 127–93 Kobe Bryant (32) Samaki Walker (12) Fox & Hunter (4) Philips Arena 19,742 30–12 43 January 30 @ Orlando W 111–93 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Rick Fox (5) TD Waterhouse Centre 17,248 31–12
February: 8–5 (home: 1–3; road: 7–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 44 February 1 @ Memphis W 100–85 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Rick Fox (7) Pyramid Arena 19,405 32–12 45 February 3 @ Dallas W 101–94 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Robert Horry (8) American Airlines Center 20,179 33–12 46 February 6 Chicago L 89–97 Kobe Bryant (38) Samaki Walker (14) Rick Fox (5) Staples Center 18,997 33–13 All-Star Break 47 February 12 Washington W 103–94 Kobe Bryant (23) Kobe Bryant (11) Kobe Bryant (15) Staples Center 18,997 34–13 48 February 14 @ Seattle W 92–87 Kobe Bryant (23) Fox & George (8) Kobe Bryant (10) KeyArena 17,072 35–13 49 February 15 Atlanta L 90–93 Kobe Bryant (21) 3 players tied (7) Kobe Bryant (10) Staples Center 18,997 35–14 50 February 17 @ Portland L 105–111 Kobe Bryant (28) Robert Horry (8) Lindsey Hunter (7) Rose Garden 20,580 35–15 51 February 19 Boston L 108–109 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Lindsey Hunter (9) Staples Center 18,997 35–16 52 February 21 @ Cleveland W 104–97 Kobe Bryant (32) Bryant & Horry (6) Kobe Bryant (6) Gund Arena 20,562 36–16 53 February 22 @ Charlotte W 96–94 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Rick Fox (11) Kobe Bryant (6) Charlotte Coliseum 23,799 37–16 54 February 24 @ New York W 107–91 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Bryant & O'Neal (5) Madison Square Garden 19,763 38–16 55 February 26 @ Milwaukee W 99–89 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (6) Bradley Center 18,717 39–16 56 February 27 @ Minnesota L 101–112 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Kobe Bryant (11) Target Center 19,769 39–17
March: 13–4 (home: 11–0; road: 2–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 57 March 1 Indiana W 96–84 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Robert Horry (6) Staples Center 18,897 40–17 58 March 3 Houston W 95–79 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Shaquille O'Neal (7) Staples Center 18,997 41–17 59 March 5 New Jersey W 101–92 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Robert Horry (13) Horry & O'Neal (4) Staples Center 18,997 42–17 60 March 6 @ Utah L 84–92 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Bryant & Hunter (4) Delta Center 19,911 42–18 61 March 10 New York W 117–103 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Robert Horry (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 43–18 62 March 12 Charlotte W 107–66 Kobe Bryant (23) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Bryant & Richmond (4) Staples Center 18,997 44–18 63 March 14 @ Golden State W 110–102 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Bryant & Fox (6) The Arena in Oakland 20,042 45–18 64 March 15 L.A. Clippers W 98–92 Kobe Bryant (33) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Fox & Horry (5) Staples Center 18,997 46–18 65 March 17 Dallas W 105–103 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Bryant & O'Neal (9) Kobe Bryant (11) Staples Center 18,997 47–18 66 March 19 @ Dallas L 98–114 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Horry & Richmond (4) American Airlines Center 20,112 47–19 67 March 20 @ San Antonio L 90–108 Kobe Bryant (20) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Brian Shaw (5) Alamodome 30,775 47–20 68 March 22 Detroit W 94–82 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Horry & Walker (10) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center 18,997 48–20 69 March 24 @ Sacramento W 97–96 Kobe Bryant (29) O'Neal & Shaw (7) Shaquille O'Neal (6) ARCO Arena 17,317 49–20 70 March 26 Cleveland W 121–116 Shaquille O'Neal (19) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Robert Horry (6) Staples Center 18,997 50–20 71 March 27 @ Phoenix L 106–118 Kobe Bryant (36) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Robert Horry (6) America West Arena 19,023 50–21 72 March 29 Portland W 91–79 Bryant & O'Neal (34) Samaki Walker (17) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 51–21 73 March 31 San Antonio W 96–95 Kobe Bryant (31) 3 players tied (9) Robert Horry (4) Staples Center 18,997 52–21
April: 6–3 (home: 4–0; road: 2–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 74 April 2 @ Washington W 113–93 Shaquille O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Kobe Bryant (6) MCI Center 20,674 53–21 75 April 3 @ New Jersey L 92–94 Kobe Bryant (33) Samaki Walker (14) Bryant & Shaw (3) Continental Airlines Arena 20,049 53–22 76 April 5 @ Boston L 81–99 Kobe Bryant (26) Robert Horry (9) 5 players tied (2) FleetCenter 18,624 53–23 77 April 7 @ Miami W 96–88 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Bryant & O'Neal (11) Robert Horry (7) American Airlines Arena 19,600 54–23 78 April 9 Utah W 112–82 Bryant & O'Neal (22) Robert Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (5) Staples Center 18,997 55–23 79 April 11 Minnesota W 96–83 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Samaki Walker (10) Derek Fisher (4) Staples Center 18,997 56–23 80 April 14 @ Portland L 120–128 (2OT) Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (9) Rose Garden 20,580 56–24 81 April 15 Seattle W 111–104 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Brian Shaw (6) Staples Center 18,997 57–24 82 April 17 Sacramento W 109–95 Bryant & O'Neal (21) Samaki Walker (15) Kobe Bryant (5) Staples Center 18,997 58–24
2001–02 season schedule

Playoffs

2001–02 game log Total: 15–4 (Home: 8–2; Road: 7–2)
First round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 21 Portland W 95–87 Kobe Bryant (34) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Rick Fox (6) Staples Center 18,997 1–0 2 April 25 Portland W 103–96 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Kobe Bryant (5) Staples Center 18,997 2–0 3 April 28 @ Portland W 92–91 Kobe Bryant (25) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Bryant & O'Neal (7) Rose Garden 20,580 3–0
Conference Semi-finals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 5 San Antonio W 86–80 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (17) 3 players tied (4) Staples Center 18,997 1–0 2 May 7 San Antonio L 85–88 Kobe Bryant (26) Robert Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 1–1 3 May 10 @ San Antonio W 99–89 Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (6) Alamodome 35,520 2–1 4 May 12 @ San Antonio W 87–85 Kobe Bryant (28) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Alamodome 32,342 3–1 5 May 14 San Antonio W 93–87 Kobe Bryant (26) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Rick Fox (7) Staples Center 18,997 4–1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 18 @ Sacramento W 106–99 Kobe Bryant (30) Shaquille O'Neal (9) 3 players tied (5) ARCO Arena 17,317 1–0 2 May 20 @ Sacramento L 90–96 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Robert Horry (20) Fisher & Horry (4) ARCO Arena 17,317 1–1 3 May 24 Sacramento L 90–103 Kobe Bryant (22) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Brian Shaw (7) Staples Center 18,997 1–2 4 May 26 Sacramento W 100–99 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Robert Horry (5) Staples Center 18,997 2–2 5 May 28 @ Sacramento L 91–92 Kobe Bryant (30) Robert Horry (11) 3 players tied (3) ARCO Arena 17,317 2–3 6 May 31 Sacramento W 106–102 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Bryant & Horry (5) Staples Center 18,997 3–3 7 June 2 @ Sacramento W 112–106 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (35) Rick Fox (14) Bryant & Fox (7) ARCO Arena 17,317 4–3
NBA Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 June 5 New Jersey W 99–94 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center 18,997 1–0 2 June 7 New Jersey W 106–83 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Staples Center 18,997 2–0 3 June 9 @ New Jersey W 106–103 Kobe Bryant (36) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Derek Fisher (6) Continental Airlines Arena 19,215 3–0 4 June 12 @ New Jersey W 113–107 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Kobe Bryant (8) Continental Airlines Arena 19,296 4–0
2002 schedule

NBA Finals

Summary

The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

Team	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Game 4	Wins
Los Angeles (West)	99	106	106	113	4
New Jersey (East)	94	83	103	107	0

Aspects

Amid tensions between co-captains Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the franchise had another stellar season, finishing 58–24 (.707), good for second in the Pacific Division and earning the third seed in the Western Conference. Bryant and O'Neal were voted starters in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, where Bryant won the game MVP trophy in his hometown Philadelphia.^[58] The duo appeared on the All-NBA First Team and Bryant was honored with an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection.^[59][60]

Entering the 2001–02 season, the New Jersey Nets were enduring a three-year playoff drought and had a 73–141 record over that span. In 1999, the Nets hired Rod Thorn as team president and immediately, he hired the recently retired Byron Scott to coach New Jersey. Thorn then dealt for Stephon Marbury in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves, trading Sam Cassell away to the Bucks.^[61] Due to the Nets' 31–51 season in 1999–00 season, they had the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, which they used to select power forward Kenyon Martin out of the University of Cincinnati.^[62] Despite the reshuffling of the roster and a Rookie of the Year season for Martin, New Jersey struggled, ending the season with a 26–56 (.317) record, and were bestowed the 7th pick in the upcoming draft.

With another lottery pick, Thorn dealt it to the Houston Rockets for draftees Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong.^[61] The next day, Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo announced a franchise-shaking trade; Phoenix would swap their point guard Jason Kidd for his New Jersey counterpart Stephon Marbury.^[63]

With the Princeton offense installed from the coaching staff,^[64] the Nets rebounded to a 52–30 (.634) mark, a twenty-six-win improvement from the last season, and clinched the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference. Kidd finished the season awarded with first team spots on both the All-NBA^[59] and All-Defensive Teams^[60] and was selected for his fifth All-Star game. He also finished runner-up to San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan in the Most Valuable Player voting.^[65] Richard Jefferson was an All-Rookie second team selection and Thorn, the architect of the franchise's resurgence, was awarded NBA Executive of the Year.^[66]

Game One

Wednesday, June 5, 2002, 6:00 at the Staples Center.

Los Angeles's Staples Center sold out for the inaugural game of the 2002 NBA Finals, with nearly 19,000 on hand. The Nets trotted out a lineup of Kidd, Kittles, Martin, Van Horn and MacCulloth to hold up against the two-time defending and heavily favored champions. The Lakers brought out Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Horry, and Kobe Bryant, who drew the assignment of guarding Kidd. New Jersey head coach Byron Scott, a member of the Showtime Lakers, received a standing ovation.

Taking advantage of a late arrival to the arena by New Jersey, L.A. dominated the first 17 minutes of play with a 42–19 score by the 6:41 mark in the second quarter. From that point on, the Nets went on a 17–6 to close the lead to a respectable 12. They had no answer for O'Neal, however, who had bullied MacCulloth into 16 points and 6 rebounds by half-time. The Nets outscored the Lakers in the third but stood steadfast as Bryant scored 11 of his 22 in the third.

" You can't dig yourself a hole, get down by 19 or 20 points and expect to win. We just dug ourselves a hole against the champions. "

—Lucious Harris, Sports Illustrated^[67]

New Jersey battled back, coming as close as three several times in the final quarter. Desperate to take the lead, they utilized the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy midway in the fourth. It backfired, as O'Neal was 5–8 from the free throw line and had 16 points and 9 rebounds in the period alone.

New Jersey was doomed by their late start and poor shooting. The Nets, who shot 45% from the field and 74% on free throws were 39% and 57% respectively.^[68] Kidd finished with a triple–double, the 26th in Finals history and the first since Charles Barkley's in the 1993 series.

Recap

Team	1st Qt.	2nd Qt.	3rd Qt.	4th Qt.	Total
New Jersey	14	22	27	31	94
Los Angeles	29	19	24	27	99

Game Two

Friday, June 7, 2002, 6:00 at the Staples Center.

The second game was more of statement as the Lakers clobbered the Nets by a score of 106-83 thanks to Shaquille O'Neal's 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Recap

Team	1st Qt.	2nd Qt.	3rd Qt.	4th Qt.	Total
New Jersey	21	22	18	22	83
Los Angeles	27	22	28	29	106

Game Three

Sunday, June 9, 2002, 8:30 at the Continental Airlines Arena.

Game Three would prove to a hard-fought game (much like the first game of the series) as the Lakers and Nets would trade leads throughout the game but thanks to Kobe Bryant's 36 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks the Lakers prevail by a score of 106–103 to take a commanding 3–0 series lead.

Recap

Team	1st Qt.	2nd Qt.	3rd Qt.	4th Qt.	Total
Los Angeles	31	21	26	28	106
New Jersey	23	23	32	25	103

Game Four

Wednesday, June 12, 2002, 9:00 at the Continental Airlines Arena.

Despite this being a hard-fought battle (much like the previous game and as well as the first game of the series) the Lakers still won game four and the championship, giving Phil Jackson his Red Auerbach-tying ninth title and the Lakers their third consecutive title (and fourteenth overall) making them the fifth team to win three consecutive titles and denying the Nets their first ever championship since the franchise moved to East Rutherford.

Recap

Team	1st Qt.	2nd Qt.	3rd Qt.	4th Qt.	Total
Los Angeles	27	31	26	29	113
New Jersey	34	23	23	27	107

Player statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Kobe Bryant	80	80	38.3	.469	.250	.829	5.5	5.5	1.48	.44	25.2
Derek Fisher	70	35	28.2	.411	.413	.847	2.1	2.6	.94	.13	11.2
Rick Fox	82	82	27.9	.421	.313	.824	4.7	3.5	.82	.26	7.9
Devean George	82	1	21.5	.411	.371	.675	3.7	1.4	.87	.51	7.1
Robert Horry	81	23	26.4	.398	.374	.783	5.9	2.9	.95	1.10	6.8
Lindsey Hunter	82	47	19.7	.382	.380	.500	1.5	1.6	.80	.23	5.8
Mark Madsen	59	5	11.0	.452	.000	.648	2.7	.7	.27	.22	2.8
Jelani McCoy	21	0	5.0	.571	.000	.250	1.2	.3	.00	.24	1.2
Slava Medvedenko	71	6	10.3	.477	.000	.661	2.2	.6	.41	.15	4.7
Shaquille O'Neal	67	66	36.1	.579	.000	.555	10.7	3.0	.61	2.04	27.2
Mike Penberthy	3	0	4.0	.500	.000	.750	.7	.7	.67	.00	1.7
Mitch Richmond	64	2	11.1	.405	.290	.955	1.5	.9	.28	.09	4.1
Brian Shaw	58	0	10.9	.353	.330	.692	1.9	1.5	.43	.05	2.9
Samaki Walker	69	63	24.0	.512	.000	.667	7.0	.9	.41	1.28	6.7

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Kobe Bryant	19	19	43.8	.434	.379	.759	5.8	4.6	1.42	.89	26.6
Derek Fisher	19	19	34.2	.357	.358	.786	3.3	2.7	1.00	.05	10.2
Rick Fox	19	19	34.3	.482	.349	.755	5.4	3.4	1.11	.32	9.8
Devean George	19	0	17.2	.365	.229	.733	3.6	.6	.58	.53	5.0
Robert Horry	19	14	37.0	.449	.387	.789	8.1	3.2	1.74	.84	9.3
Lindsey Hunter	18	0	7.3	.311	.276	.000	.4	.6	.11	.00	2.0
Mark Madsen	7	0	1.4	.000	.000	.000	.3	.0	.00	.00	.0
Slava Medvedenko	7	0	3.0	.600	.000	.000	.6	.0	.00	.00	.9
Shaquille O'Neal	19	19	40.8	.529	.000	.649	12.6	2.8	.53	2.53	28.5
Mitch Richmond	2	0	2.0	1.000	.000	.500	.5	.0	.00	.00	1.5
Brian Shaw	19	0	12.5	.333	.281	1.000	1.8	1.6	.26	.32	2.9
Samaki Walker	19	5	12.6	.462	1.000	.765	4.1	.2	.11	.32	3.3

Award winners

• Shaquille O'Neal, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
• Shaquille O'Neal, All-NBA First Team
• Shaquille O'Neal, League Leader, FG%, 57.9
• Kobe Bryant, All-NBA First Team
• Kobe Bryant, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
• Kobe Bryant, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award

Legacy

• By winning the third straight Finals MVP, Shaquille O'Neal became only the second player to achieve this feat, after Michael Jordan doing it twice in 1991-93 and 1996–98.

Transactions

References

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